Octopath Traveler Details New Characters and ‘Path Actions’

Octopath Traveler is a new JRPG from Square-Enix set to release later this year. The game follows eight travelers, each on their own journeys in pursuit of their own goals. Square-Enix has been drip-feeding info to potential fans for a little while now, and today they introduced two new characters and explained how “path actions” and “sub-stories” will work in the game.

(Video from YouTube channel: Nintendo)

The playable characters introduced this time are “H’aanit,” a hunter, and “Therion,” a thief. H’aanit has left her village in search of her missing mentor/master, while Therion has been hired to recover a set of gems. Just like the other characters already introduced, H’aanit and Therion have their own, unique “path actions” to help them make their way through the world.

As a thief, Therion can use “steal” to take items from just about any character in the game. As one might imagine, this can come in handy when short on money or when confronted by an NPC in possession of a unique item. Meanwhile, H’aanit can “intimidate” NPCs in order to either pull them into a fight or scare them into doing what she wants. She does this by summoning various monsters to come work for her.

Both of these path actions fall on the “rogue” side of the spectrum, whereas the abilities of the other two characters already introduced fall on the “noble” side. Noble path actions are limited by NPC temperament and the groups wallet, but Rogue actions can be used at any time. The drawback to Rogue actions is that failure means a tarnished reputation in the given town or with the offended character/faction. Players can bribe bar tenders to spread good gossip about them, but chances are that that could get costly rather quickly.

As for sub-stories, they function as the side-quests of Octopath Traveler. The difference between these and typical side-quests is that the method for solving them is completely up to the player. Any tactic or path action is acceptable so long as it resolves the problem.

Octopath Traveler releases for Nintendo Switch on July 13, 2018. Those interested can find more information about it on the official website. For those who can’t wait for a taste, there’s a demo currently available on the Nintendo eShop.